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Results for “benefit finding”

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At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Homoeopathy for delayed onset muscle soreness: a randomised double blind placebo controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To pilot a model for determining whether a homoeopathic medicine is superior to placebo for delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). DESIGN: Randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. SETTING: Physiotherapy department of a homoeopathic hospital. SUBJECTS: Sixty eight healthy volunteers (average age 30; 41% men) undertook a 10 minute period of bench stepping carrying a small weight and were randomised to a homoeopathic medicine or placebo. OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean muscle soreness in the five day period after the exercise test, symptom free days, maximum soreness score, days to no soreness, days on medication. RESULTS: The difference between group means was 0.17 in favour of placebo with 95% confidence intervals +/- 0.50. Similar results were found for other outcome measures. CONCLUSION: The study did not find benefit of the homoeopathic remedy in DOMS. Bench stepping may not be an appropriate model to evaluate the effects of a treatment on DOMS because of wide variation between subject soreness scores.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A systematic review of physical activity promotion in primary care office settings.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of physical activity promotion in primary care office settings. DESIGN: Systematic review of clinical trials in which the efficacy of physical activity promotion was investigated in a primary care office setting with at least one month of follow up. SUBJECTS: A total of 13,981 adults, aged 17-85+, were included from 203 practices in eight trials assessing physical activity promotion in primary care office settings. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated comparing the number of participants who increased their physical activity or were active at follow up in the intervention group with a control group for each study. RESULTS: Five of eight trials where positive with statistically significant results (range 0.91-6.56), but significant biases or limited clinical relevance of the outcomes were found in all trials. Short term trials of less than one year (four of four were positive), single-risk-factor trials (three of three were positive), randomised clinical trials (two of three were positive), and those assessing moderate levels of physical activity (three of four were positive) were most likely to find benefit. Only one of four trials lasting longer than a year were positive. CONCLUSION: There is limited evidence from well designed trials that office based physical activity promotion in primary care settings is efficacious in promoting changes in physical activity that could conceivably have lasting clinical benefits.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Plasma lipoproteins and apolipoproteins as predictors of cardiovascular risk and treatment benefit in the PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER).

BACKGROUND: Statins are important in vascular disease prevention in the elderly. However, the best method of selecting older patients for treatment is uncertain. We assessed the role of plasma lipoproteins as predictors of risk and of treatment benefit in the PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER). METHOD AND RESULTS: The association of LDLc and HDLc with risk was examined in the 5804 70- to 82-year-old subjects of PROSPER. Baseline LDLc showed no relation to risk of the primary end point in the placebo group (P=0.27), nor did on-treatment LDLc in the pravastatin group (P=0.12). HDLc was inversely associated with risk in subjects on placebo (P=0.0019) but not in those on pravastatin (P=0.24). Risk reduction on pravastatin treatment was unrelated to baseline LDLc (P=0.38) but exhibited a significant interaction with HDLc (P=0.012). Subjects in the lowest 2 quintiles of HDLc (<1.15 mmol/L) had a risk reduction of 33% (hazard ratio, 0.67; 95% confidence limits, 0.55, 0.81; P<0.0001), whereas those with higher HDLc showed no benefit (RR, 1.06; 95% confidence limits, 0.88, 1.27; P=0.53). During follow-up, there was no relation between achieved level of LDLc or HDLc and risk. However, the change in the LDLc/HDLc ratio on statin treatment appeared to account for the effects of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In people >70 years old, HDLc appears to be a key predictor of risk and of treatment benefit. Findings in PROSPER suggest that statin therapy could usefully be targeted to those with HDLc <1.15 mmol/L or an LDLc/HDLc ratio >3.3.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

"Sticking jewels in your life": exploring women's strategies for negotiating an acceptable quality of life with multiple sclerosis.

The authors explored women's strategies for achieving quality of life with multiple sclerosis (MS) through interviews with 27 women, most of whom had lived with MS for more than 5 years. Analysis of the semistructured interviews followed the interpretative phenomenological approach. The women portrayed living with MS as an ongoing process of negotiation and described gaining quality of life through looking after health; maintaining meaningful occupations and roles; establishing mutual relationships; clarifying beliefs, aspirations, and philosophy of life; activism on disability issues; consciously valuing positive life experiences; and finding benefits in adversity. Despite recounting resourceful strategies, many acknowledged ongoing difficulties. Some narratives suggested a mesh or tapestry of coexisting positive and negative experiences. Others portrayed an adversarial relationship, with the positive and negative forces in their lives constantly battling for supremacy. A wide array of flexible, evolving strategies was required to achieve an acceptable quality of life with MS.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2006

Canada's Compassionate Care Benefit: views of family caregivers in chronic illness.

AIM: Based on a pilot evaluation of Canada's recently introduced Compassionate Care Benefit (CCB), the purpose of this paper is to highlight the experiences of family caregivers caring for people with non-malignant advanced chronic illness. DESIGN: Using Patton's (1997) utilization-focused evaluation approach, 25 telephone interviews were conducted with three groups of family caregivers: those who had successfully applied for the CCB; those who were unsuccessful in their applications; those who had never applied for the benefit. FINDINGS: The CCB has a number of limitations, particularly for caregivers of patients diagnosed with non-malignant advanced chronic illness. The central limitations are: difficulties associated with accurate prognostication; limited definition of "family member"; insufficient length of the funding period. CONCLUSION: By modelling similar programmes internationally, such as those in Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands, Canada would likely find the CCB to have greater relevance and accessibility to Canadian caregivers, particularly those caring for people with non-malignant advanced chronic illness.

Canada↗
PubMed2004

Diabetes research in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research activities, highlighting diabetes-related research. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Diabetes is an important component of the VA research portfolio. All four VA research services support aspects of diabetes research. VA diabetes research projects and funding were examined from 1998 to 2003. RESULTS: VA scientists are conducting research on diabetes genetics, etiology, diagnosis, therapy, epidemiology, health services, and rehabilitation. VA research funding is available to answer important veteran-relevant questions through peer review, Center of Excellence activities, and multisite trial mechanisms. Many VA scientists also receive research support from nonfederal sources, including private corporations and nonprofit foundations. The VA Office of Research and Development actively supports training the next generation of researchers through their career development awards and the VA health profession training programs. CONCLUSIONS: The VA's diabetes research portfolio is extensive and includes many investigators, trainees, and fellows. There is substantial leveraging of VA diabetes research with support from other federal and nonfederal funding agencies, foundations, and private corporations. VA diabetes research findings benefit the global diabetes care community.

Diabetes Mellitus↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of smoke-free residence hall policies: the views of administrators at 3 state universities.

Nationwide efforts to protect the public against the health effects of secondhand smoke have prompted college and university administrators to adopt more restrictive smoking policies. Some campus officials are concerned that new policies will lead to student backlash, increased staff workloads, and an increased economic burden. To understand the impact of smoke-free residence hall policies, we conducted key informant interviews and gathered archival data at 3 large state universities. The implementation of smoke-free residence hall policies imposed little economic burden. We noted positive impacts in several key areas, including decreased damage to residence hall buildings, increased student retention, and improved enforcement of marijuana policies. Increased costs, such as the purchase of outdoor cigarette receptacles, were outweighed by the benefits. Findings from this study should encourage college and university administrators to enact smoke-free residence hall policies.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed2006

Abuse-resistant drug delivery.

In attempting to reduce the nonmedical use of controlled substances, a reasonable step is to educate the physicians prescribing controlled substances, including the prescription stimulants used to treat ADHD, as well as patients and family members, about the risks of nonmedical use and the dangers of giving or selling these medicines to persons for whom they were not prescribed. Patients who find benefits in the use of such medicines have a significant interest in protecting their continued access to them. Such access is potentially threatened by concerns about widespread nonmedical use. Physicians can help protect the appropriate medical use of prescription stimulants by considering the abuse potential of various medicines used to treat patients with ADHD, especially when these patients also have a history of nonmedical substance use. In addition, we suggest that today there is an opportunity to add a new and perhaps more hopeful paradigm: the wider use of drug delivery systems that make products less attractive to drug abusers. This new drug abuse prevention paradigm holds great promise for efforts to reduce the nonmedical use of prescription controlled substances, including the prescription stimulants used to treat ADHD. To achieve the full potential of this new paradigm to reduce prescription drug abuse, it will be necessary to develop standards to assess the relative abuse resistance of various drug formulations and delivery systems, as well as meaningful incentives to foster the development of these abuse-resistant delivery systems for controlled substances.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Positive consequences of surviving a stroke.

This exploratory study focused on gaining insight into the psychological experience of stroke survivors undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. Specifically it investigated whether stroke survivors undergoing inpatient rehabilitation were able to identify any positive consequence of their stroke. This phenomenon, also know as benefit finding or positive reframing, has recently received more attention in the coping literature examining reactions to severe illness. Using a case series methodology and qualitative analytic techniques, 16 stroke survivors were interviewed using standardized open-ended questions related to identification of positive consequences attributed to surviving a stroke. Sixty-three percent of the patients interviewed were able to identify positive consequences of their stroke. The following five themes regarding positive consequences of stroke emerged from this case series: increased social relationships, increased health awareness, change in religious life, personal growth, and altruism. It was concluded that some individuals who have survived an acute stroke are able to reframe their experience in a positive light. This study provides occupational therapists and others with further insight into the coping mechanisms of those individuals who have survived a stroke. The need for further research is stressed.

Aged↗
PubMed1979

Multihospital systems: promises and problems.

More and more hospitals are finding benefits in closer relationships with other hospitals. But disadvantages, problems, and conflicts need to be overcome also. The author gives a brief summation of the pros and cons of such arrangements, as well as information on the AHA's Center for Multihospital Systems and Shared Services Organizations.

American Hospital Association↗
PubMed2000

The ultrasound-assisted physical examination in the periodic health evaluation of the elderly.

BACKGROUND: Except for specific procedures such as blood pressure measurement, the conventional physical examination (PE) does not have sufficient sensitivity to be useful as part of the periodic health evaluation. Ultrasound has demonstrated greater sensitivity and specificity in numerous studies but has been too expensive to be widely employed in health screening. The purpose of our study was to determine whether an examination in which conventional and ultrasound techniques are blended and applied by a primary care physician might be feasible and useful in the periodic health evaluations of senior citizens. METHODS: Seventy-two patients presenting to a community-based family physician for periodic health evaluations received an ultrasound-assisted physical examination (USA-PE) from a second family physician. The results were reported to the primary physician, and the outcomes were tracked for periods of up to 2 years. RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 72 patients (31%) had abnormalities found by the USA-PE that were not apparent during the conventional PE. Five of these patients (7%) had serious conditions that received prompt treatment with apparent benefit. Findings included endometrial carcinoma, abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid stenosis, hydronephrosis, and urinary retention. CONCLUSIONS: The USA-PE found more abnormalities in this group of patients than conventional PE. Whether it can improve outcomes for senior citizens undergoing periodic health evaluations in a cost-effective manner is yet to be determined.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Inpatient clinical research: its importance in psychiatry and psychopharmacology.

We have outlined the essential components found in an inpatient psychiatry research unit from the point of patient recruitment through discharge. In virtually every phase of a patient's hospitalization on the unit, there is the potential for significant tension between research and clinical goals. We conclude that, as Braff and associates have suggested, clinical and research interests are compatible when both receive appropriate support. We have also discussed the potential advantages of an inpatient research setting for patient care. Because of the washout period, there is greater opportunity for an extended diagnostic assessment and response to the therapeutic milieu alone. The attention and priority patients receive during the research phase can be of significant therapeutic benefit. Findings from research protocols can be used to help with diagnosis and clinical care. Working on an inpatient research unit provides residents and other trainees with special learning experiences. In particular, observational and diagnostic skills are sharpened. Techniques of non-pharmacologic behavioral management are added to the trainees' repertoire of therapeutic interventions. By nature, the research experience promotes creative thinking and problem solving. In this era of fiscal restrictions and cost accountability in medicine, potential advantages for immediate patient care and for staff training are only secondary reasons which justify the existence of inpatient research centers in psychiatry. We must also ask what specific and unique research information an inpatient research setting offers compared to less expensive outpatient research environments. The first factor to be considered is the ability to study individuals whose illness is so severe as to make outpatient management difficult or impossible. It is becoming increasingly clear that for many categories of psychiatric disorders, there is a spectrum of severity of possible behavioral manifestations seen in affected individuals. In depressive illness, for example, the spectrum of expression appears to range from dysthymic disorder to major depressive disorder with psychotic features. Individuals with more severe symptomatology tend to create the greater cost to society because of their correspondingly greater degree of dysfunctional behavior, need for repeated and extended hospitalization, requirement for social services, etc. Such individuals, therefore, need to be studied in a research setting at least as much as patients with milder manifestations of psychiatric illness. This would not be possible without the control, structure, and staffing found in an inpatient setting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1978

The origins of modern orthopaedics.

The modern cult of "selfwareness", today so fashionable among young people, calls on past experiences to interpret modern attitudes and reactions; and gives a new credibility to the old Latin dictum "Historia, magistra vitae". It involves all aspects of human enterprise, not least the professional aspect, which undoubtedly gains by taking account of the contributions of previous generations. Orthopaedic surgery is no exception, and those of us who would aspire to a fuller understanding of our specialty will find benefit in retracting its history over at least the last 250 years. In taking such a backward glance, the writer tried to seek out those events and those men whose contributions have stood the test of time and earned them the recognition and prestige in which they are still held today.

England↗
PubMed1994

[The stakes in preventing opportunistic MAI infections in AIDS. From an interview with Dr. Patrick Philibert].

Development of HIV infection is littered with many pathological episodes of which the physical and psychological repercussions on the patient are full of consequences. In this context, full co-operation between the hospital services and general practitioners is fundamental, from the moment of the announcement of seropositivity, to place under anti-retroviral treatment and to follow the pathological events. Opportunistic infections that threaten the life of the patient are severe because of the fall in the level of CD4 lymphocytes. Nowadays it is important to start prophylactic treatments and to make the patient understand the fight to follow these treatments that alone can help to maintain his autonomy and quality of life. The quality of the relationship established between the practitioner and patient is here very important. At the start of prophylactic treatment for several opportunistic infections in AIDS, such as pneumocystosis or toxoplasmosis, it is essential to have available an effective therapeutic strategy for infection by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). In effect, these serious infections following after the development of AIDS, graviously threaten the life of patients and their probability to survive. Today, practitioners have available rifabutine (Ansatipine) which is an efficacious treatment for MAC infections. It is sure that many patients will find benefit.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗
PubMed1994

Untying the elderly. 1989 to 1993 update.

Research and public policy pertaining to the use of physical restraints has advanced since Evans' and Strumpfs' 1989 review. Research better delineates the harms caused by restraints, although not finding benefits. Federal law sharply restricts the use of restraints. Legal liability weighs against the use of restraints in most instances. Nursing homes have published substantial experience with programs to reduce and eliminate the use of physical restraints.

Decision Making↗
PubMed2005

Menopausal complaints, oestrogens, and heart disease risk: an explanation for discrepant findings on the benefits of post-menopausal hormone therapy.

There is a large discrepancy between the findings of observational and experimental studies on the effects of post-menopausal hormone therapy (HT) and coronary heart disease risk. Observational studies, mainly comprising peri-menopausal women, report risk reductions up to 30-50%, whereas the experimental studies, comprising elderly women, do not show coronary protection. Suggested explanations are methodological differences, such as confounding or healthy user bias, incomplete capture of early events, the stage of atherosclerosis at the start of HT, formulation or dose of HT, or early susceptibility to thrombotic events. We propose that the presence of climacteric complaints determines the susceptibility to hormone replacement therapy. Climacteric complaints are the main indication for HT in the population, whereas in the clinical trials women with climacteric complaints were either explicitly excluded or comprised only a minority of the total randomized population. There is some, albeit circumstantial evidence to support this hypothesis. Women with climacteric complaints of sweating not only appear to have lower levels of serum oestradiol, but also lose more bone than women without climacteric complaints. Consequently, sweating episodes may indicate potential benefits from HT. It has also been reported that hot flushes during menopause correlate with a higher level of oxidative stress and an increased cardiovascular reactivity to stressful situations. We suggest epidemiological approaches to test our hypothesis.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

The perceived benefits of singing: findings from preliminary surveys of a university college choral society.

Two exploratory studies are reported on the perceived benefits associated with active participation in choral singing. In the first study, 84 members of a university college choral society completed a brief questionnaire that asked whether they had benefited personally from their involvement in the choir and whether there were ways in which participation could benefit their health. A large majority of respondents agreed they had benefited socially (87%) and emotionally (75%), with 58% agreeing they had benefited in some physical way, and 49% spiritually. A content analysis of written comments served to elaborate the ways in which choir members felt they had benefited. Common themes expressed were: meeting new people, feeling more positive, increased control over breathing, feeling more alert and feeling spiritually uplifted. With respect to health benefits, 84% of participants gave answers, the main themes of which related to improved lung function and breathing, improved mood and stress reduction. In the second study, 91 members of the choir completed a structured questionnaire consisting of 32 statements about singing reflecting the ideas expressed in the first study. Over 40% of respondents strongly agreed that 'singing helps to make my mood more positive', 'singing is a moving experience for me sometimes', 'singing makes me feel a lot happier' and 'singing is good for my soul'. A principal components analysis followed by Oblimin rotation identified six dimensions of benefit associated with singing. These were labelled as: benefits for well-being and relaxation, benefits for breathing and posture, social benefits, spiritual benefits, emotional benefits, and benefits for heart and immune system. Cronbach alpha coefficients were satisfactory for all components except the third, social benefits, due primarily to the small number of items loading on this component. Women were significantly more likely to experience benefits for well-being and relaxation, younger people were more likely to report social benefits, and those professing religious beliefs were more likely to experience spiritual benefits. The present studies have a number of limitations, but they provide a useful foundation for future larger scale surveys, more sophisticated qualitative studies, and experimental investigations of the impact of singing on psycho-physiological functioning.

Adult↗